Victoria
My favorite song interrupted a deep sleep. I groaned, hoping it would stop.
It didn't.
"Would you turn that off?" Sasha asked. "I've got another hour to sleep."
I reached for my nightstand, with my eyes still closed, and found my phone. The music grew louder as I brought it closer. I found the snooze button and jammed the phone under my pillow. A moment later—or at least that was how it felt—the song played again.
"Guess I better get up," I mumbled. The last thing I needed was to be late for class on my first day of college. I was setting the stage for my entire college career. No pressure.
I opened my eyes and turned off my alarm.
"What were you doing out so late?" Sasha mumbled. "I heard you come in at, like, two or something."
"I lost track of time." I yawned and stared at my pillow, wishing I could flop back onto it for another five or six hours.
"Dancing with Carter again?"
"Yeah. It's so much fun at the Jag."
"Did you get pictures this time?" she asked.
"Sorry, I forgot again."
"Some friend you are."
"Didn't you want more sleep?"
"Yep." She flipped over and pulled the blankets over her
head. "You're the one who wanted a ten o'clock class." "It sounded good at the time."
"Live and learn."
She was right. I'd just have to make sure I got to bed at a decent hour in the future. Maybe dancing with Carter would have to be a weekends-only thing. We could still do dinner other nights.
I forced myself out of bed and stared at my clothes. They all seemed so boring after wearing formal dresses the previous two nights. "Thanks again for letting me borrow your dress last night."
Sasha mumbled something.
I picked a gray tank top with splotches of pink and some cute denim cutoffs and headed for the shower. The hot water soothed my bones. The ache lingered, but the harsh pains seemed to have disappeared. When I got out of the bathroom, Sasha was in her bed, texting. She glanced up and nodded with approval. "Cute. I see you did your eyeliner like I showed you."
"Yeah, I like how it makes my eyes catlike."
"Definitely suits you, girl. Good luck today."
"You, too." I grabbed my already packed backpack and
my purse. It was kind of awkward with both. I'd need to figure something else out. Sasha's forehead wrinkled. "A backpack? Really? What is this—the third grade?"
I frowned. "I saw plenty of people with those at orientation."
"And how many of them are dating Carter Jag?" "Who said we're exclusive?"
"Two nights in a row and plans for studying this afternoon? I'd call that serious."
"We'll see. I gotta go."
"Better eat breakfast. I'd hate to see you empty out the cafeteria."
I grabbed one of my pillows and chucked it at her.
"Funny."
"You're never going to live that down. I hope you realize that."
"Just wait until you do something crazy."
She snickered. "I don't do crazy. Well, not like that. I'm more likely to get drunk and dance in someone's yard, singing old 90s songs. In my bikini."
"Nice. See you later."
"We'll go shopping tonight."
"For what?" I asked.
Sasha rolled her eyes. "For a better bag. Just try not to ruin your reputation today with that ugly thing."
"Won't dating Carter make up for that?"
"Let's hope. I have a reputation to manage, also. Can't be roomie of a geek."
I threw my other pillow at her and went downstairs. The TV blared from the living room, but I had the kitchen to myself. I dug my frozen waffles out of the freezer and ate them quickly. I was surprised I had any appetite left over after all I'd eaten the night before. After pigging out on sandwiches, I'd eaten two main dishes at the Jag. Carter had been amused by my appetite—not knowing about how much I'd eaten earlier—and luckily hadn't been put off by it. The sparkle in his eyes actually made me think he enjoyed seeing me scarf down so much. Most girls probably tried to impress him by barely eating, but I'd been so ravenous I'd had no other choice except to give in to my appetite. I'd had such a great time dancing with him, but the entire time I felt pulled outside. In fact, I'd glanced out the window so many times, he insisted we just dance in front of it. For some reason, the moon was so gorgeous I couldn't stop staring. But now it was the first day, and if I didn't hurry, I'd find myself late for my first class. I hopped in my Jaguar and drove as fast as I dared until I reached the parking lot nearest my class. Once I found the room, it was nearly full. I recognized most of the faces from the orientation. Grace waved me over to where she sat on the far side of the room, halfway back. She patted the desk next to her. "I saved it for you."
I sat down. "Thanks."
"I can't believe you were almost late on the first day." "Life happens." I pulled my laptop out of my backpack. Professor Foley entered the room, chatting and laughing with a couple guys wearing school football uniforms. He set his things on the front desk and arranged them. Grace rattled on about a band, but I couldn't stop watching the teacher. He was so gorgeous, as evidenced by the three pretty students who had jumped up and now surrounded him, chatting and obviously flirting. Something deep within me awoke with fury. I had to literally force myself to stay in my seat, gripping the sides so tightly that my knuckles turned white. I wanted to tear those girls to pieces.
"You okay?" Grace asked.
I gritted my teeth. "Fine."
"That vein in your forehead is going to explode if you're not careful."
Not that I cared. Those twits were practically all over him. If it would have been socially acceptable for them to actually crawl on top of him, I was sure they would have. I sniffed the air. I could actually smell their lust and desire.
Okay, I was losing it. I shook my head. How could I smell their emotions? I had to get control of myself. Who cared if they were flirting with Professor Foley? Why should I, when I had Carter to focus on?
I turned back to Grace. Now she was talking about a virtual game her mom didn't like. I tried to focus on what she was saying, but Toby's aftershave wafted over to me. Wait. Toby?
I didn't know Professor Foley's first name. I hadn't even seen it anywhere.
Or had I? I found the online course syllabus. Introduction to Statistics
Professor T. Foley My breath caught. His name actually did start with a T. Maybe I remembered reading that and just gave him the name in my mind.
That had to be it. There was no other explanation. Not that smelling his aftershave or the desire of those girls all the way from my seat made any sense, either. He stepped back and told everyone to take their seats. His gaze ran across the classroom and stopped when it landed on me. My heart jumped into my throat and my pulse raced. We stared at each other for a moment before he continued looking around the room. I shook. What was it about him that sent me into such a frenzy? I didn't feel this out of sorts even when Carter laced his fingers through mine or when he held me close as we danced to slow, romantic music.
Toby Professor Foley introduced himself again and then told us to open the syllabus. He went over the expectations of the class and told us that he was available for anyone who needed help.
"Call my number or email me, day or night." His gaze held mine for a moment. "If I'm available, I'll help you then. If not, I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I want all of you to succeed." He scanned the rest of the room, explaining the schedule. "And there will be a pop quiz every Wednesday."
Half the class laughed.
"I'm telling you so you know to be prepared for it—and to be here. I know the ten o'clock classes tend to be considered early, but don't miss any because you're tired. You can't make the quizzes up. I hope you're taking notes."
The sounds of laptop keypads being struck sounded all around the room.
Professor Foley smiled. It was such a beautiful sight. I nearly melted into the chair. It was hard to breathe as he grinned. I wanted to reach out and stroke his stubble. To lean in close and smell his musky personal scent. He gazed into my eyes again from the front of the room. It was like he wanted the exact same thing.
I swallowed. How would I ever learn math in such conditions? He turned from me and spoke, but I couldn't understand a word that came from those gorgeous lips.
Maybe what I needed was a new teacher. Except that I'd been one of the last to register for classes and nothing else was available. Somehow I made it through the rest of the class. He had us take an assessment quiz to find out where we all stood. After he collected the papers, he said, "This will help me figure out how fast or slow to move through the material. I don't want anyone overwhelmed or bored." He smiled again.
I looked away. No way would I allow myself to get sucked into that vortex again. When the class was done, I bolted into the hall without a word. I couldn't look at him for another moment. More than anything, I wanted to. Oh, how I wanted to get lost in those eyes and feel those luscious lips on mine.
Stop. I sat on a bench, closed my eyes, and tried not to think of him. His beautiful, smiling face was the first image in my mind. What had Carter said the other day? Poop farm. I pictured piles of dung. Many piles. Everywhere. Covering all kinds of things.
"You okay?" Grace's voice broke through my disgusting thoughts.
I looked up. "Just tired."
"Something going on between you and the teacher?" "No."
"You still willing to drive me to the other side of
campus?"
I blinked my eyes a few times. Right. I had about ten minutes to get to my geography class. Then I would have time for lunch before psychology. Maybe that class would help me figure out what was wrong with me.
"Sure." I rose. "We'd better hurry."